Cleaning device



April 4, 1961 H. szczEPANsKl 2,977,615

CLEANING DEVICE Filed June 15. 1959 2 Sheets--Shee'l'l 1 f INVENTOR.I /q' Z HARRY szczl-:PANsKI April 4, 1961 H. szczEPANsKl CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1959 INVENTOR: HARRY SZCZEPANSKI -ing the junction of the tank wall with the lower United States Patent CLEANING DEvrcn Harry Szczepaski, 755 Oakleigh NW., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Filed June 15, 1959, Ser. No. 820,145

Claims. `(Cl. 15-50) This invention relates to the construction of cleaning devices which use a scrubbing action with brushes and a cleaning solution in conjunction with the brush action. The device has been developed primarily as arug cleaner, but is by no means limited to this particular utility. It is usually recognized thata brush system having la relatively independentV motion of its own, in addition to the usual movement along a path over the cleaned surface, will create a superior cleaning action to that of a fixed brush. Power-driven brushes which impart a rotary motion independent of the path of movement of the device are well-known, but the cost of these units becomes considerable. The weight and size of such a device also tends to assume proportions which make it diflicult for a housewife to handle such equipment. It is the purpose of this invention to provide a cleaning device which will provide a rotary brush action while the device moves along a straight path. This function is incorporated in the device without requring the use of motorized equipment, and therefore it becomes possible to produce a device embodying this invention at a very low price, and still provide a very desirablel brush action almost equiva- Ient to the power-driven units. The saving in Weight and size makes if convenientfor the housewife to handle without much .effort, and also makes it possible for her to store the unit in any convenient broom closet.

In addition to the rotary action of the brushes provided by this invention, an arrangement is incorporated which maintains a controlled flow of cleaning solution into the area where the brushes are Operating. The solution is admitted in the central area within a preferably annular pattern of the bristles of the brush, and is caused to pass through a spongy material to facilitate a foaming action. The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 presents a perspective exterior view of a complete device incorporating the invention.

Figure 2 presents a section on an enlarged scale show- POI'- tion of the housing.

Figure 3 presents a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale from that of Figure 1, and showing the construction of the filler cap for the tank containing the cleaning solution.

Figure 4 presents a fragmentary elevation on a similarly enlarged scale to that of Figure 3, and illustrating the construction of the control device for applying the cleaning solution.

Figure 5 presents a fragmentary sectional view showing the structural details at the active portion of the cleaning unit, the view being taken from the side.

Figure 6 presents a sectional elevation onan enlarged scale from thatiof Figure 5, and showng the structural details of the mounting of the rotary brushes.

Figure 7 presents a plan view showing the frame fot supporting the rotary brushes.

The cleaning device illustrated generally in Figure 1 I includes a lower housing 10, a container 11 a handle 12 provided With a grip 13, and a compressible control bulb 14 for regulating the flow of cleaning solution in the tank 11 to the brush system within the lower housing 10. A filler cap 15 is slidable upwardly'along the handle 12 to expose an opening for receiving the cleaning solution. The construction of this filler cap is best shown in Figure 3, and includes a sleeve portion 16 slidably mounted on the handle 12, land a stopper 17 extending downwardly and entering an of the container 11.

The junction of the wall ofthe container 11 with the lower housing 10 isgshown in Figure 2. The lower extremity of the container wall terminates in the tapered section 19 which is received against the similarly tapered surface 20 of the lower housing 10. A ridge 21 serveS to position the lower extremity of the tapered section 19, so that the two engaging surfaces are maintained in v vbe cemented through the action of an evaporative solvent.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the system for supplying the cleaning solution to the brush area at a controlled rate is based upon the action of the resilient bulb 22. When this bulb is squeezed, the system functions in the manner of a pump. An extension 23 on the bulb traverses an opening in the handle 12, and receives the fittng. 24. T0 maintain an effective seal, the extension 23 has an annular groove engaged by a flange on the fitting 24, as is shown at 25. This area forms a convenient point for the application of cement or sealing compound in order to make the joint both air and liquid tight. The tube 26 is received in the fitting 24 for the discharge of cleaning lsolution accompanied 'by compression of the bulb 22. The fiow caused by this action proceeds downwardly along the tube through the check valve 27 (which prevents back-fiow as the bulb is released) and enters the distribution manifold 28 and the lower housing 10. As the bulb is released, the suction thus created is applied to the tube 29, which draws the cleaning solution' from the tank 11 in through the intake fitting 30 (refer to Figure 5), which also includes a one-way valve of standard construction preventing downfiow back into the tank as the bulb 22 is compressed.

The construction and mounting of the brush system is shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. A frame 31 is mounted in the interior of the lower housing 10 through the engagement of the pins 32 and 33 with suitable holes in the wall of the housing. Tabs as shown at 34-35'and 36- 37 may engage the housing walls to stabilize the frame 31 about the axis of the pins 32 and 33. In the device illustrated in the drawings, the frame 31 is provided with 'four inclined areas identified at 38, 39, 40, and 41. A

journal member, as shown at 42 in Figure 6, is engaged at a central opening in each of the inclined portions 38-41, and is held in engagement by the turned flange 43 after the assernbly of the brush unit to the journal member has been completed. The brush units, indicated generally at 44-47 each include a hacking member as identified at 48 in Figure 6 provided with the central bearing portion 49. This portion has a group of axially-extending ribs spaced about the axis, one of these being identified at 50 in Figure 6. These ribs are notched to receive the hook-shaped ends of the arms 51 of the cap 52. This cap has two functions. One of these is to form a Vconduit which receives the liquid from the supply tubes 53-56, and conducts it upwardly to the top area of thesponge Patented V`Apr. 4, 1961 opening in the offset portion 18 3 57, with which each of the brush units is provided. The other function of the cap 52 is to provide a smooth rounded lower surface which limits the compression of the Sponge 5/7 .and the distortion of the bristles 58. The channel for conducting the cleaning solution exists between the inside diameter of the cap 52 andtheoutside diameter of the bearing portion 49, with the fiow passing between the ribs identified at 50. It is preferable that the ribs 50 extendalong the upper portion of the back member 48 to form grooves as indicated at 59 for exposing the entire upper. portion of the Sponge 57 to the cleaning solution. The movements of4 the cleaning devicewill causea considerable fiexing action of the Sponge, and thereby create a foaming which will facilitate the cleaning operation. The slanted attitude of the axis of rotation of the brush unit (resulting from the depressed portions 38-41) causes the brush unit to make contact with the cleaned surface primarily at one edge ina tangential fashion. The forces. encountered at one side serve to induce. a rotation of the unit, thereby imparting arotary scrubbing action in addition to the linear movement of the device. It is preferable to include an annular ridge 60 on the backing member of each of the brushes to stabilize the axis of rotation. This backing member isnormally made from nylon or some other material known to have a relatively small coefiicient to friction against the steel of which the frame 31 Will normally be constructed. It should also be noted that the annular space inside the ridge 69 will ordinarily be slightly wetted' with cleaning solution as a result of a limited fiow between the outside diameter of the journal member 42 and the insidediarneter of thebearing portion 49. The cleaning solution will'therefore scrve as a lubricant both at the cylindrical bearing surfaces, and at the point of engagement of. the ridge 60 with the inclined portions 38-41.

The cleaning solution is delivered to the brush units through the tubes 53-56 which communicate with the distributing manifold 28. This device, and the supply tube 26, are sealed to thediaphragm 61 through the engagement of the conical outer surface at the upper end of the plug 62 with the similarly-tapered conical surface of the extension 63 formed integrally with the diaphragm 61. Tightening of the nut 64 against the sealing washer 65 will serve to eXpand theportion 61 solidly against the inside of the handle 12. The distribution manifold 28 is provided with an extension 66 which engages the tube 26, andV is cemented both to this tube and to the inside diameter of the plug 62. The manifold 28 is also preferably formed of a plastic material which will make it possible to cement the extension 66 with any convenient adhesive or evaporable solvent.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for v illustrati-ve purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A cleaning device, comprising: 'frame means; handle means normally fixed with respect to said frame means and establishing a normal orientation and direction of movement of said frame means with respect to a work surface; reservoir means normally fixed with respect to said frame means; a plurality of brushes, each of said brushes including a disc-shaped back member and a group of bristles extending from one side of said back member in an annular pattern, and also including sponge means disposed within said group of bristles; means for rotatably mounting said brushes on said frame means on au axis normally laterally inclined to the Vertical, whereby said bristles engage a work surface on one side of said brushes to induce rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including tubular journal means secured to inclined portions of said frame means, bearing means normally fixed with respect to said back member and engaging said journal means, said bearing means having axially extending ridges on the periphery thereof, and also including a cup-shaped cap member normally engaged over said bearing means and journal means in spaced relationship therewith to provide a passage from the end of said journal means to a point adjacent the back of said brush; liquid conduit means communicating between said tubular journal means and said reservoir means; and pump means on said handle for regulating the fiow in said conduit means.

2. A cleaning device, comprising: frame means; handle means normally fixed with respect to said frame means and establishing a normal orientation and direction of movement of siad frame means With respect to a work surface; reservoir means normally fixed with respect to said frame means; a plurality of brushes, each of said brushes including a back member and a group of bristles extending from said back member in an annular pattern, and also including sponge means disposed within said group of bristles; means for rotatably mounting said brushes on said frame means on an axis normally laterally inclined to the Vertical, whereby said bristles engage a work surface on one side of said brushes to induce rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including tubular journal means secured to said frame means, bearing means normally fixed with respect to said back member and engaging said journal means, said bearing means having axially extending ridges on the periphery thereof, and also including a cup-shaped cap member normally engaged over said ridges and journal means in spaced relationship therewith to provide a passage from the end of said journal means to said sponge means at a point adjacent the back of said brush; liquid conduit means communicating between said tubular journal means and said reservoir means; and pump means on said handle for regulating the fiow in said conduit means.

3. A cleaning device, comprising: frame means; handle means normally fixed with respect to said frame means and establishing a normal orientation and direction of movement of said frame means with respect to a work surface; reservoir means; a plurality of brushes, each of said brushes including a back member and a group of bristles extending from said back member in an annular pattern, and also including sponge means disposed within said group of bristles; means for rotatably mounting said brushes on said frame means on an axis normally laterally inclined to the Vertical, whereby said bristles engage a work surface on one side of said brushes to induce rotation thereof, said rotatable mounting means including tubular journal means secured to said frame means, bearing means normally fixed with respect to said back member and engaging said journal means, and also including a cup-shaped cap member normally engaged over said bearing means and journal means in spaced relationship therewith to provide a passage from the end of said journal means to a point adjacent the back of said brush; liquid conduit means communicating between said tubular journal means and said reservoir means; and control means on said handle for regulating the fiow in said conduit means.

4. A cleaning device, comprising: frame means; handle means normally fixed with respect to said frame means and establishing a normal orientation and direction of movement of said frame means with respect to a work surface; reservoir means normally fixed with respect to saidV frame means; a plurality of brushes, each of said brushes including a back member and a group of bristles extending from said back member in an annular pattern, and also including Sponge means disposed within said group of bristles; means for rotatably mounting said brushes on said frame means on an axis normally laterally inclined to the Vertical, whereby said bristles engage a work surface on one side of said brushes to induce rotat'ionpthereof; liquid conduit means communicatng between said Sponge means and said reservoir means; and control means on said handle for regulating the flow in said conduit means.

5. A cleaning device, comprising: frame means; handle' means normally fixed with respectrto said frame means and establishing a normal orientation and direction of movement of said frame means with respect to a work surface; reservoir means; a plurality of brushes, each of said brushes including a back member and a group of 10 2,567,764

5 between Vsaid Sponge means and said reservoir means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Davies Sept. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 251,615 Switzerland Aug. 16, 1948 

